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SHERMAN – At their meeting on Aug. 12, Village of Sherman Board of Trustees learned that sewer rates in the village are expected to increase 3% to 3.3% each year, in keeping with inflation.
Department of Public Works Director Jay Irwin and Village Mayor Colleen Meeder met with a team from CHA Solutions recently to discuss financial forecasting, based on current rates, inflationary factors and timelines for building and equipment repairs and replacement.
The estimate of 3% to 3.3% is part of the Asset Management Program which is required by the state and federal government, who have contributed 63% of the $7 million for the WWTP Improvement Project, Meeder said.
The Asset Management Program involves “that the investment of public funds be managed and maintained well, with reserves for short-lived assets, and planning for additional building and equipment upgrades in the future,” Meeder said.
In her report, Meeder told trustees that the Annual Financial Report was completed, certified and submitted on Monday, July 27. “This will be amended to include the fire department financials from Stanley Hose Co.,” she said.
Meeder also reported that Sherman Days were considered a great success and it was observed that there was a higher than usual number of people in attendance who stayed throughout the day. “We are very grateful for the handful of people serving on the committee to pull this together each year,” she said. “Most of them serve the community in several other ways throughout the year.”
Meeder also told trustees that the hydroseeding in the dry retention pond is taking root. Also, in the upper basin stormwater project, the Chautauqua County Soil & Water Conservation District will return to complete the North Haven seeding, as well as some other spots in the village.
In response to a letter from Robert J. Freeman, Executive Director of the state committee on Open Government, regarding volunteer fire companies, Meeder confirmed the fire company’s sole purpose is to support the fire department, which falls under the governance of the Mayor and the Village Board of Trustees.
Therefore, the fire company is required to follow regulations set forth by the Open Meetings Law and the Freedom of Information Act Law, Meeder said. Fundraising activities and events organized and held by the Stanley Hose Co. must be approved by the Board of Trustees, she added.
Trustees subsequently passed a resolution accepting the notification of the fire company’s annual fundraising activities and events. “Stanley Hose Co. provided notification of three annual fundraisers. Jeanette (Ramm) received the notification on July 16,” Meeder said.
In other business, Meeder reported that she, Village Clerk Jeanette Ramm and Josh Freifeld, President of CHRIC, met with the Homes & Community Renewal Department to plan for an additional Mobile and Manufactured Home Replacement Grant application. This grant would provide for a shortfall in the initial grant and allow the village to complete the program.